Support structure for a guided surface waveguide probe

Abstract

Disclosed is a support structure for a guided surface waveguide probe. In some embodiments, the support structure includes vertically oriented corner columns that define outer corners of the structure, vertically oriented intermediate columns that define portions of outer sides of the structure, each intermediate column being positioned between a pair of corner columns, framing members that extend between the corner columns and the intermediate columns, plates located at junctions between the framing members and the columns, and fasteners located at the junctions that secure the framing members and the plates to the corner columns and the intermediate columns, and that secure the framing members to the plates, wherein the corner columns, intermediate columns, framing members, plates, and fasteners are all made of a non-conductive material.

Therefore, the following is claimed: 
     
         1 . A column for use in constructing a tower structure, the column comprising:
 an elongated tubular member; and   two elongated flanges that extend laterally from the tubular member and along a length of the tubular member.   
     
     
         2 . The column of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated tubular member and the elongated flanges are unitarily formed from a single piece of material. 
     
     
         3 . The column of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated tubular member and the elongated flanges are unitarily formed from a single piece of non-conductive material. 
     
     
         4 . The column of  claim 3 , wherein the non-conductive material is a fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite material. 
     
     
         5 . The column of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated tubular member comprises four corners and four sides that together define an elongated inner channel of the tubular member. 
     
     
         6 . The column of  claim 5 , wherein the elongated tubular member is rectangular in cross-section. 
     
     
         7 . The column of  claim 5 , wherein the elongated tubular member is square in cross-section. 
     
     
         8 . The column of  claim 5 , wherein an inner corner and an outer corner of the elongated tubular member are chamfered so as to form two opposed, parallel planar outer surfaces that are orthogonal to the sides of the tubular member. 
     
     
         9 . The column of  claim 1 , wherein the flanges extend from lateral corners of the elongated tubular member in a manner in which one flange generally lies in the same plane as a first outer side of the tubular member and the other flange generally lies in the same plane as a second outer side of the tubular member. 
     
     
         10 . The column of  claim 9 , wherein the elongated flanges are orthogonal to each other. 
     
     
         11 . The column of  claim 10 , wherein outer surfaces of the elongated flanges are located in the same plane as and are continuous with outer surfaces of the outer sides of the elongated tubular member. 
     
     
         12 . The column of  claim 9 , wherein each elongated flange is approximately as wide as its associated outer side. 
     
     
         13 . The column of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated flanges extend from outer corners of the elongated tubular member associated with an outer side of the elongated tubular member. 
     
     
         14 . The column of  claim 13 , wherein the elongated flanges both generally lie in the same plane as the outer side of the elongated tubular member. 
     
     
         15 . The column of  claim 14 , wherein an outer surface of each elongated flange is located in the same plane as and is continuous with an outer surface of the outer side of the elongated tubular member. 
     
     
         16 . The column of  claim 15 , wherein the elongated flanges lie in the same plane. 
     
     
         17 . The  claim 16 , wherein each elongated flange is approximately as wide as the outer side of the elongated tubular member. 
     
     
         18 . A corner angle member for use in constructing a tower structure, the member comprising:
 a planar central element;   a first planar angled flange extending laterally outward in a first direction from the central element; and   a second planar angled flange extending laterally outward in a second direction from the central element;   wherein the planar central element and the angled flanges are unitarily formed from a single piece of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite material.   
     
     
         19 . The corner angle member of  claim 18 , wherein the planar angled flanges extend outward from lateral edges of the central element at an angle of approximately 45 degrees and are orthogonal to each other. 
     
     
         20 . The corner angle member of  claim 18 , wherein the planar angled flanges are approximately three times wider than the planar central element.